Derek McGarrity is confident that Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson will be competing on Rally Ireland with Prodrive
Image: ©willyweyens-rallyworld
Top Irish rally driver Derek McGarrity says that he expects the Prodrive Subarus of Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson to be on the start line for Rally Ireland, despite the annoncement of Subaru's withdrawal from the WRC on Tuesday, according to Sammy Hamill in the Belfast Telegraph.
McGarrity has been closely involved with Prodrive for nearly ten years, trading Subarus around the world, and also competing in them with much success.
He explained to the Belfast Telegraph:
I fully expect Prodrive to go ahead and run the cars even without the official backing of Subaru. This decision came out of blue and the management at Prodrive had very little time to prepare for it or react to it.
But I know they are now looking at all the options and that includes going ahead with their World championship programme as a non-manufacturer team. Their entry fees for the year are already paid and the accommodation for the team for Rally Ireland is booked.
They have already been testing for next season and developing the latest Impreza, the S15. From what I've heard I'm fairly confident they will go ahead.
One of the problems Prodrivehave had is that Subaru Technica International in Japan have refused to allow the cars to run with sponsorship. Ever since the famous 555 sponsorship ended, they have insisted on the cars appearing just in their own blue and gold colours.
Prodrive will now be free to look for outside financial support just as Ford and Citroen have done."
McGarrity states that he believes the Adapta World Rally Team is going ahead as a two car team next year:
I understand that plan is going ahead, possibly with another Norwegian, Henning Solberg, as the second driver."
He feels Subaru's withdrawal will have no direct effect for Ireland:
It will have no direct effect here although the economic situation will. We have already seen a significant reduction in entry numbers for rallies and I can't see that changing for a while. I'm sure Rally Ireland is going to be hit.
I know I won't be doing it because I can't justify the costs. We were also looking at running cars for two other drivers but they have decided against it. It is just such an expensive rally.
On the other hand the Galway International which starts the Irish Tarmac championship is looking quite healthy and I intend to be there.”
Kenny McKinstry, who prepares and runs Subarus, also believes the Prodrive cars will be present at Rally Ireland.
McKinstry commented:
Subaru may be gone as a manufacturer team but I think there is every chance Prodrive will carry on. I know there is a lot of detail to be sorted out over contracts and finance but from what I’ve been told there is still a strong possibility they will be here for Rally Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Rally Ireland event director John Naylor has spoken to Prodrive chief David Richards who assured him the team would be in attendance, at least to support their privateer cars although he had nothing so say on the appearance of Solberg or Atkinson.
Photo: Derek McGarrity winning the Glens of Antrim Rally courtesy www.roydempster.com
Source: Belfast Telegraph
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